As the long winter draws to a close, this is not only good news for the local flora and fauna, but also for motorsport fans: the first major highlight of the season is just around the corner at the Hockenheimring with the "ADAC Hockenheim Historic - the Jim Clark Revival". The event has evolved from a fringe event for die-hard purists into a genuine PS folk festival: Last year, more than 45,000 spectators made the pilgrimage to the Motodrom in Baden for the 20th edition of the Jim Clark Revival over the three days of the event to indulge in the unadulterated pleasure of the look, sound and smell of glorious racing days.
This year's edition of the event, which as always is dedicated to the memory of two-time Formula 1 World Champion Jim Clark, who died in an accident at the Hockenheimring in 1968, will also feature an attractive program. No fewer than twelve racing series with more than 500 participants have signed up for the second weekend in May.
Touring cars through the ages
The DRM Revival and the Touring Car Golden Era are absolute spectator magnets. Here you will find the powerful cars of the legendary German Racing Championship (DRM) and the classic touring cars of the "old" DTM and the Super Touring Car Championship (STW). And it's not just the cars that captivate the fans. In recent years, crowd favorites such as Altfrid Heger, Olaf Manthey, Roland Asch, Kris Nissen, Harald Grohs and Kurt Thiim have repeatedly climbed behind the wheel of one of their former work machines.
Taking part for the first time and a real highlight of the event is the Class 1 Revival. Older fans remember the legendary asphalt battles between big names in the high-tech racers from Alfa Romeo, Mercedes-Benz and Opel in the 1994 to 1996 seasons. After the ITC was discontinued, the DTM was reborn in 2000 with the V8 cars from Audi, Mercedes and Opel and, from 2012, BMW. The 2019 season saw a switch from naturally aspirated to turbocharged engines, but only for two years, after which Class 1 finally came to an end. However, many of the cars from this period still exist and will be on display at the ADAC Hockenheim Historic.
Pure formula racing
Fans of classic formula racing will also get their money's worth. One of the perennial favorites of the ADAC Hockenheim Historic is the Historic Racecar Association, which stages the "ADAC Graf Berghe von Trips Cup" with various formula cars in memory of the Rhinelander Wolfgang Graf Berghe von Trips, who was killed in an accident at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza in 1961. And the Boss GP, which is very popular with fans, is the playground for the impressive formula cars from the 1980s to the 2000s.
With the Lurani Trophy and the DMV Formula Vau, the program also includes reminiscences of two of the most successful and best-known junior formula classes of the past century. While the Lurani Trophy is the collection point for Formula Junior, Formula Vau is regarded as one of the most ingenious ideas of the brilliant former Porsche race director Huschke von Hanstein. What both categories have in common is the fact that they have produced countless big names, including several Formula 1 world champions such as Jochen Rindt, Niki Lauda and Keke Rosberg.
Between talent development and prototype power
The historic racing classes at the ADAC Hockenheim Historic will be complemented this year by a leap into the modern era. The Gebhardt Ginetta Nordic Championship, which is celebrating its German debut here, is an ideal springboard for all young drivers who want to move up to the higher GT classes - but not only: a certain Formula 1 driver named Lando Norris also earned his first spurs at home in the UK in a Ginetta G40. All the cars are technically identical, with sealed engines and gearboxes, so only driving skills count.
One of the absolute highlights of this year's edition of the ADAC Hockenheim Historic is the Velom Sportscar Supercup by Interwetten SCC. The SCC racing series, which enters its 30th season in 2026, will feature a wide-ranging field of different sports cars from many eras. The 1st and 2nd generation LMP3 prototypes, which are powered by 5.6-liter V8 engines from Nissan, will also be competing. The field of participants continues to grow. With the Austrian ex-Formula 1 driver Christian Klien, a very well-known name has also confirmed his participation.
The Golden Era Classic Cup, which is starting its second season at the ADAC Hockenheim Historic, is entirely dedicated to the Porsche brand. The racing series reflects the technical evolution of the Zuffenhausen-based sports car manufacturer - from the legendary air-cooled 911s to the water-cooled models from the 996 model series onwards to the powerhouses of Division 5 such as the 911 RSR and other endurance models from IMSA, Le Mans, etc.
Raceclub Germany is an association of owners of historic formula and sports cars. As part of selected events such as the Jim Clark Revival, presentation runs are organized that are deliberately not competition-oriented, but are intended to give spectators and drivers a special enjoyment of these wonderful vehicles. And last but not least, Team FNT presents selected performance vehicles, including Formula 1 cars from the 2000s.
PS festival on and off the track
The ADAC Hockenheim Historic - The Jim Clark Revival not only attracts with a great program on the race track. The action area at the east grandstand will be the meeting point for numerous brand clubs and the ADAC Erlebniswelt will delight young and old with a variety of attractions and hands-on activities. The Congress Pavilion will host an exclusive special exhibition with numerous original exhibits relating to Jim Clark and Team Lotus. The pit roof will be transformed into a multifaceted experience area: numerous stands and exhibitions will be presented to visitors over an area of 4,000 square meters. Special guided tours offer a glimpse behind the scenes. And if you take a stroll through the paddock, you are sure to bump into one or two big names from the world of motorsport.
The Friday ticket is available for just 17 euros, the day tickets for Saturday and Sunday for 39 and 34 euros respectively. And if you want to treat yourself to the whole weekend, you can do so for 54 euros. Including grandstand seating and paddock access, of course. Pupils and students pay half price, children under 14 and wheelchair users enjoy the ADAC Hockenheim Historic free of charge.
All further information can be found on the Hockenheim Historic website .
